• Land Warfare

  Just released: Armoured Vehicles Technology Report 2024 now available to read

  30th May 2024

  How uncrewed systems and modular vehicle kits are defining the future of combat engineering and support.

• Air Warfare

  Australia awards contracts for UAS platforms

  15th July 2024

  The orders break new ground for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) as they include an order for loitering munitions, the purchase of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and the first order for SkyMantis 2 in the region.

• Air Warfare

  Aero Vodochody and Saab sign deal to develop commonality between L-39NG and Gripen

  30th May 2024

  In April 2022, the Hungarian government’s commissioner for defence development, Gáspár Maróth, announced the procurement of 12 L-39NGs. The contracts have reportedly been signed and the first aircraft were expected be delivered in 2024.

• Digital Battlespace

  Ensuring Information Superiority in Modern Military Operations (Studio)

  17th June 2024

  Modern warfare's ever-increasing complexity necessitates advanced SATCOM solutions to ensure information superiority. Intelsat's latest innovations in optical links and software-defined satellites will set new benchmarks in speed, resilience, and security, essential for effective multi-domain operations.

• Land Warfare

  European MBT market shifts: KNDS and Rheinmetall unveil competing platforms

  19th June 2024

  KNDS and Rheinmetall have been showcasing competing new MBT models at Eurosatory 2024, reflecting shifts in European defence procurement amid the ongoing continental conflict.

• Training

  Lockheed Martin takes $451 million deal to upgrade M270 launchers

  10th May 2024

  MLRS is a heavy-tracked mobile launcher, transportable via C-17 and C-5 aircraft, that fires Guided MLRS rockets and Army Tactical Missile System missiles.

• Naval Warfare

  Could compact submarines become part of future naval warfare?

  19th June 2024

  Low-profile submarines can provide diverse advantages to navies including improved mobility and flexibility.

• Land Warfare

  MBDA and Rheinmetall sign agreement to integrate anti-drone missile on Skyranger 30

  6th June 2024

  The Rheinmetall Air Defence Skyranger is a mobile ground-based air defence system which can be deployed against air targets at short and very short range as well as ground targets. The Skyranger's search and tracking sensors provide 360° surveillance and fire control data.

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  Revolutionising Warfare: The Rapid Rise and Future of UGVs (Analysis)

  17th June 2024

  The uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) market is advancing rapidly due to technological growth and geopolitical shifts. Increased investment and evolving defence priorities are driving interest in UGVs, although political, technological, and production challenges must be addressed for full market potential.

• Defence Notes

  CUAS platforms, security systems and MBTs steal the spotlight as the curtain falls on Eurosatory 2024

  21st June 2024

  Eurosatory 2024 is done, the boxes are mostly put away, vehicles sent home to bed, stalls torn down, ripped carpet rolled up and weary business directors and their engineers have, for the last time for this edition, hung their MKU lanyards around their necks. But what, if anything, have we learned from this show in suburban Paris?

• Defence Notes

  Ireland’s government plots way forward for defence strategy

  29th May 2024

  Ireland finds itself outside of the norm when it comes to European security as an EU nation surrounded mostly by water and whose only land border is with a non-EU country. The Irish Government has been working to overcome the challenges the neutral country faces from having the smallest budget per capita and per GDP of all EU member states.

• Land Warfare

  Eurosatory day three: Images from across the show

  19th June 2024

  An eventful day three of Eurosatory 2024 comes into focus with our pick of the best images from across the show.

• Land Warfare

  How Spain’s acquisition of PAC-3 MSE can boost European air defence

  23rd July 2024

  Madrid will increase interoperability with the other seven users of next-gen Patriot in the region.

• Land Warfare

  Four issues the armoured vehicle industry needs to tackle

  18th June 2024

  As evident at Eurosatory 2024, the procurement of armoured vehicles is progressing, but some projects have stalled or been abandoned due to the fluid geopolitical and conflict landscape. Buyers, manufacturers and operators have been reassessing their needs, desires and capabilities amid tightening budgets and escalating demands.

• Air Warfare

  First USMC Bell AH-1Z goes in for power upgrade

  29th March 2024

  The Bell Textron AH-1Z Viper, an attack helicopter designed to operate and destroy targets in extreme environments, achieved IOC in February 2011.

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• Military helicopters - light/training

  Future Aircrew Training Program [Canada]

  Background The FAcT requires to graduate 120 pilots, 40 combat systems officers and 36 airborne electronic sensor operators per year with 15% fluctuation. Training services are ...

• Trainer

  Future Aircrew Training Program [Canada]

  Background Requirement The new procurement will result in one contract covering all the requirements, including maintenance and infrastructure services. Canada’s Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy ...

• Military helicopters - transport/heavy lift

  AW101-Norway

  AgustaWestland is also providing initial support and training services, including spares at each of the operating bases and aircrew training. It will then provide performance ...

• Short Range Missile Defence Systems: 0 to 20 km range

  V-SHORAD [Canada]

  Background The Canadian Army's future GBAD system "will provide tactical air defence protection to friendly forces and vital installations during expeditionary and domestic operations against ...

• Loitering munitions

  Switchblade 300/600 [Canada]

  Background Contract award In February 2025, the Canadian government finalised a $67-million deal with AeroVironment (AV) to acquire the Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600 to equip ...

• Medium Range Missile Defence Systems: 20-90km range

  Uplift SHORAD UOR [Canada]

  Background The Canadian Army's future GBAD system "will provide tactical air defence protection to friendly forces and vital installations during expeditionary and domestic operations against the ...

• Trainer

  Hawk 127 Replacement (Future Lead-In Fighter Training System- Project Air 6002 PH1) [Australia]

  Programme Background Requirements The RAAF is seeking a future solution that provides a ‘relevant, adaptable, affordable and safe LIFTS out to 2050’ for training pilots ...

• Fighter - multirole

  F-15EX (2020) [USA]

  Programme Background The F-15EX is based on the 2-seat F-15QA (Qatar) configuration upgraded with USAF-only capabilities, including the Eagle Passive Active Warning and Survivability System (EPAWSS) ...

• Loitering munitions

  Loitering munitions [Canada]

  Background Switchblade acquisition In February 2025, the Canadian government finalised a $67 million deal with AeroVironment (AV) to acquire the Switchblade 300 and Switchblade 600 ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Inkas M1 MRAP (Batch 2) [Canada]

  Background In 2026, Canada acquired 10 Inkas M1 MRAPs. The M1 was developed by Inkas to provide a domestic Canadian armoured 4x4 capability.  Shephard understands ...

• Destroyers

  Canadian Surface Combatant/River Class (1-3) [Canada]

  Background Requirements Fifteen frigates are being procured to replace the Royal Canadian Navy's 12 ageing Halifax-class frigates and the now-retired Iroquois-class destroyers with next-generation surface ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) [Canada]

  Background Programme inception The Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) Joint Unmanned Surveillance and Target Acquisition System (JUSTAS) project was established to procure a UAS for the ...

• Short Range Missile Defence Systems: 0 to 20 km range

  RBS-70 NG [Canada]

  Background In February 2024 Canada announced its intention to urgently procure the RBS-70 NG short-range air defence system (SHORAD).  Saab was awarded a $227 million ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  Armoured Combat Support Vehicle (Ukraine Aid) [Canada]

  Background The ACSV will meet the Canadian Army's requirement for a new armoured vehicle with greater mobility, operating range, protection and operational versatility than the ...

• Military helicopters - multirole

  HH-60W - Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH)

  Background In 2010, the USAF announced the replacement of the HH-60G with a new Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH), and in 2012, the request for proposals ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Trainer

  Phenom 100

  Phenom 100 is a very light jet originally developed for single owner-pilot operation but later gained popularity as a jet trainer aircraft. The platform first ...

• Trainer

  T-6A/B Texan II

  The T-6 Texan II is a single-engine trainer aircraft, which was developed from the Pilatus PC-9 to meet the training requirements of USAF and USN ...

• EW test systems

  EWITR

  The EW Instrumented Training Range (EWITR) provides threat radar simulators and master control stations for aircrew training in tactics development using modelling and simulation, and ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  T-38C Talon

  FlightSafety supports nearly 40 T-38 training devices as part of its contract for logistics support for the T-38. The T-38C is a converted T-38A/B that ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  HATS

  In October 2014, the Australian government approved a A$700 million (US$530 million) contract award to Boeing Defence Australia, teamed with Thales Australia, to provide the ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  USAF KC-135 ATS

  The KC-135 Aircrew Training System (ATS) programme delivers initial qualification, requalification, continuation and upgrades training for USAF KC-135 aircrews, including pilots, co-pilots and boom operators. ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  USN T-44C Training Services

  In late 2013, CAE USA received a contract to provide the USN with comprehensive T-44C aircrew training services at NAS Corpus Christi, Texas. CAE USA ...

• Trainer

  Beechcraft King Air 260 (T-54A)

  The Beechcraft King Air 260 is a twin-engine turboprop which the USN has selected as part of the Multi-Engine Training System (METS) programme. Ten aircraft were ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  C-130J MATS

  Lockheed Martin’s C-130J Maintenance and Aircrew Training System (MATS) programme provides a range of training devices and support services including aircrew instruction, operations, contractor logistics ...

• Air: air combat simulators

  HITS-A

  Collins Aerospace is the prime contractor designing and developing the first integrated aircrew training systems for the E-2D, leading the Hawkeye Integrated Training System for ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  KC-46A ATS

  FlightSafety supports the USAF aircrew training program for the KC-46A Pegasus tanker aircraft. The program delivers a multi-faceted training package to the USAF from design, ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  RCAF CC-130J Training Services

  CAE is the prime contractor for the Operational Training Systems Provider (OTSP) programme to support the 17-strong CC-130J fleet in RCAF service. The first OTSP ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  Tiger Aircrew Training

  Thales provides Tiger aircrew training solutions for the armed forces in Australia, France and Germany. Thales is currently upgrading the systems under the Tiger aircrew training ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  US Army Flight School XXI OFT/RCTD

  L3Harris Technologies is a major subcontractor to CSC on the US Army’s Flight School XXI (FSXXI) programme. L3Harris Technologies has built or is under contract ...

• Air: fixed-wing flight simulators

  NVTS/NVGTS

  The Night Vision Training System (NVTS) combines academic instruction with interactive demonstrations to optimise a pilot's ability to see at night without the use of ...